Best Week Night Happy Hours In The South Bay
Koji Sake Lounge
48 S. 1st St.
San Jose, CA 95113
(408) 287-7199
www.kojisakelounge.com
As the South Bay's only sake bar, Koji Sake Lounge has a big niche to fill, and according to its fans, it is doing a pretty good job. The lounge's mid-week happy hour, Wednesday through Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., draws sake lovers and folks curious to try it at happy hour prices. Also enjoy $5 for small plates, $5 cocktails and $3 beers. There are even a few desserts offered at this Japanese-inspired happy hour. With a club-like atmosphere, an appetizing variety of foods from the general menu and reasonable prices, Koji has become a popular mid-week destination.
Scotty's
548 Emerson St.
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 561-4929
www.scottyspaloalto.com
Noted as a quieter place to drink and enjoy conversation than some of the other popular spots in the area, Scotty's has a friendly ambiance with a laid-back feel. The restaurant has a weekday happy hour from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. when appetizers are half-off along with a select list of discounted beer, wines and cocktails, including daily drink specials. Scotty's gets high marks for its neighborhood feel, high quality and good prices, which all seem even better at happy hour.
Flight Wine & Food
20333 Stevens Creek Blvd.
Cupertino, CA 95014
(408) 459-7711
www.flightwineandfood.com
This classy little wine bar, offering wine tastings by the glass and small tapas plates, offers a daily happy hour from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Flight Wine & Food is attached to the Café Torre Italian restaurant next door, sharing partial ownership and the kitchen, so food can be ordered from either place. Happy hour specials vary and are announced on the wine bar's Facebook page, a novel tactic to get patrons to visit the page and leave likes and comments. Happy hour specials may include $5 glasses of wines, which often change depending on the day's featured winery, or a happy hour special of 50-percent-off listed wines. There are fun events to include wine bar patrons, such as asking Facebook visitors to vote for a featured wine to make it a permanent wine by the glass. Visit the bar's website and Facebook page for complete happy hour details.
Cascal
400 Castro St.
Mountain View, CA
(650) 940-9500
www.cascalrestaurant.com
Located in the heart of downtown Mountain View, Cascal presents a vibrant setting that blends the traditions of Spain with the exotic culture of Latin America. Celebrated restaurant creator Don Durante sought to create a restaurant where he could enjoy spending time with friends lingering over cocktails and food with bold flavors and exotic character. Cascal features its Mojito Madness happy hour Monday through Friday from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The reduced prices cover all specialty cocktails including mojitos, sangrias, house margaritas, plus selected red and white wines and house champagne by the glass. The mostly Latin-infused happy hour dishes include shredded flank steak, Moroccan lamb meatballs and black bean queso fundido. To top it all off, there is live music every Friday and Saturday night.
Tessora's Barra Di Vino
1875 S. Bascom Ave.
Campbell, CA 95008
(408) 626-7711
www.tessoras.com
Some Tessora fans say it truly is a hidden gem in the Pruneyard Shopping Center, and a secluded, lovely spot so keep your eyes open to find it. Tessora's Barra di Vino suggests it is possibly the South Bay's ultimate wine bar experience, so come and decide for yourself. Come for happy hour Wednesday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. for four wine specials, $5 beers and three Happy Hour Munchies at $5. From the regular menu, the bar offers over 20 wines by the glass, tastes and flight selections, plus a wide selection of domestic and international beers. There is live music on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, plus a Sunday Jazz Jam once a month. Check out the wine bar's website for a complete calendar of events and additional information.
Related: Free Happy Hour Food–East Bay
Melanie Graysmith is a writer, artist and educator based in San Francisco. She writes on adult education, art and lifestyle topics, and enjoys writing short stories and poetry. She is also a member of an independent filmmaking group. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
